# NotesMate vs YCU

The clearest difference is in-app purchases: NotesMate at none against YCU's 2. NotesMate also leads on update cadence (every 5 days vs every 2 months) and iOS requirement (9.0 vs 15.1). On price, ads and device support there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. YCU sells 2 in-app purchases, starting at $5.99 per month. NotesMate asks for nothing beyond the download.

NotesMate ships an update every 5 days, YCU every 2 months. The most recent releases landed on November 3, 2026 and November 5, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | NotesMate | YCU |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| In-app purchases | **No** | Yes |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | **Every 5 days** | Every 2 months |
| Size | 57 MB | 65 MB |
| Requires iOS | **9.0** | 15.1 |
| Devices | **iPhone, iPad, iPod** | iPhone, iPod |
| Age rating | 4+ | 12+ |
| Developer | [SuntecIndia](https://appshunter.io/developer/451997571) | [Leon Price](https://appshunter.io/developer/1846206849) |

## What reviewers say

### NotesMate

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/notesmate-createexploreearn/id1263085149)

**Features:** macOS Compatibility

**In-app purchases:** none


### YCU

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/ycu/id6759508439)

**Features:** macOS Compatibility, Family Sharing, Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases (2)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| YCU Monthly Membership | $5.99 | per month |
| YCU Membership | $49.99 | per year |


## Frequently asked questions

### Is NotesMate free?

NotesMate is free to download, with no in-app purchases.

### Is YCU free?

YCU is free to download, with in-app purchases available.

### Do NotesMate or YCU have ads?

Neither NotesMate nor YCU shows ads.

### Which is updated more often, NotesMate or YCU?

NotesMate ships an update every 5 days, and YCU every 2 months. Most recently, NotesMate was updated on November 3, 2026 and YCU on November 5, 2026.

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*Compared by [AppsHunter](https://appshunter.io/) from daily US App Store data. Review summaries are generated from verbatim App Store reviews.*